[Democratic State Senator Merrill] Piepkorn said the state should increase its funding commitments for public education before any extra funding is allocated for a school choice program. "Taking money away, right now, from public education for vouchers,
any money you take and send in that direction, is going to mean less money for the public education we have now," Piepkorn said.
[Republican U.S. Rep. Kelly]
Armstrong said he believes in school choice but doesn't think vouchers would be a good approach because private schools could raise their tuition to take advantage of the new state money. "It doesn't need to be either-or,"
Armstrong said. "We can fund our public school system and we can have the best public school system in the country, and we can still allow for significantly more parental autonomy in school choice."
Best workforce recruitment tool is our higher ed system
Armstrong emphasized the importance of drawing in young people and retaining them after graduation. "Our best workforce recruitment tool is our higher ed system," Armstrong said.
Piepkorn agreed, pointing out that with state support in recent years,
businesses have been expanding apprenticeships and paid internships to students. He added local unions have ramped up their apprenticeship training programs geared toward younger workers to get them into high-paying career fields sooner.
Armstrong said he doesn't have the "silver bullet" to fix complicated workforce issues, but addressing housing, health care and educational needs would be a good start to drawing more potential to the state. "I don't know if we can handle $2 billion
economic development with no plan to build housing and no plan to recruit employees," Armstrong said. "It doesn't do North Dakota any good if that new business is poaching from existing businesses when you already have 15,000 to 30,000 open jobs."
PVS:States decide standards, not federal government.
Armstrong opposes the PVS survey question on education standards
Project Vote Smart inferred whether candidates agree or disagree with the statement, 'Education: Do you support requiring states to adopt federal education standards?'
PVS self-description: "The Political Courage Test provides voters with positions on key issues. Historically, candidates have failed to complete our test due to the advice they receive from their advisors and out of fear of negative attack ads."
Voted NO on private lawsuits for school race discrimination.
Armstrong voted NAY Equity and Inclusion Enforcement Act
Legislative Summary:This bill authorizes private civil causes of action for discrimination on the ground of race, color, or national origin, including anti-Semitism) in programs receiving federal financial assistance.
Trump`s Statement of Administration Policy (against): The Administration strongly opposes passage of H.R. 2574. This bill fails to advance equality in education, while expanding bureaucracy, encouraging burdensome litigation, and imposing costs on recipients of Federal financial assistance. H.R. 2574 seeks to validate and expand the divisive regulatory agenda of the previous administration--advancing an ideological mission and enriching favored special interests like trial lawyers at the expense of students, educators, and taxpayers. The bill would require each recipient of Federal financial assistance to appoint a compliance coordinator, which would impose additional administrative burdens.
H.R. 2574 would redirect vital resources that are needed to serve students in the pursuit of an ideological agenda.
Rep. Elaine Luria in support: H.R. 2574 would allow private individuals to file lawsuits under the Civil Rights Act`s Title VI authority, allowing students and parents to remedy discrimination in education. `Every student has the right to access public education, free from discriminatory practices, said Congresswoman Luria. `By focusing on equity and inclusion, we move towards a public education system that is more just and will benefit every student, regardless of sex, ethnicity, ability, or their zip code.`
Legislative outcome:Passed House 232-188-10, roll no. 192 on Sept 16, 2020; died in Senate without a vote.
Source: Congressional vote 20-HR2574 on May 8, 2019